Healthy Communities Initiative

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE ... The Story

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During the period of 1994-2000, 19 young people of high school age and younger in the communities of the Rose Tree Media School District lost their lives through violent death, including several suicides, homicides, and an auto accident that killed five high school girls. School officials, parents and the community as a whole gathered to express their dismay, sorrow and deep concern for these events and collectively sought answers to their many questions.

In response, Riddle Memorial Hospital, the Rose Tree Media School District, the Rocky Run YMCA and several community organizations came together to form the Healthy Communities Initiative.

The goal of the Healthy Communities Initiative is to unite the community and create a healthy environment that encourages and supports competent, caring, and responsible children, adolescents, and adults. The Executive Committee and Board of Directors are made up of youth, parents, congregations, county and community services, law enforcement agencies, businesses, senior citizens, and private individuals who are committed to creating a network of support for healthy youth development.

HCI uses a program based on a national model developed by the Search Institute in which over 600 communities nationwide already participate. The model is based on "40 Developmental Assets" - factors that are critical for young people's successful growth and development. The total community is now involved in creating an environment where young people can progress safely through adolescence building positive connections between generations of our community.